(a) whether the Government has allowed foreign tours by the advisors/experts to study
the benefits of use of ethanol in the foreign countries where it is being used extensively;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the said advisors/experts have submitted their report to the Government; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER of STATE for PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRIMATI PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)
(a)to(d) An industry task force comprising all the three Public Sector Oil Marketing
Companies i.e. Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation & Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation conducted a feasibility study for ethanol investment in Brazil and a report
was finalized in May 2007. The project was found feasible and strategic for Indian Oil
Industry. However, in view of huge investment involved, the project could not proceed further.